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Life & Career

Son of A. Foote, Esq. J.P., a landed proprietor.

Foote was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1907. He qualified as signal lieutenant in November, 1909. His next appointment was in Isis from 4 January, 1910 until he received his first signals appointment on 5 October 1910 to the battleship Bulwark, where he would serve as flag lieutenant to Vice-Admiral George Neville of the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Home Fleet. Neville would praise Foote's physique and judgment in his final report when Foote would be superseded on 24 March, 1911, having spent his last month with additional signal duties on the Nore Sub Division.[1]

His first command appointment, in the "C" Class destroyerOstrich, lasted just ten days. He was found at fault for a collision with an ash boat, but no negligence was attributed – his inexperience and the weather were largely to blame.[2]

He was appointed to the battleship Russell as flag lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Commanding, Sixth Battle SquadronStuart Nicholson on 5 December, 1913. Nicholson would find him a valued subordinate, taking Foote along as his own career placed him in various ships and commands. Foote would serve with him well into the war.[3]

On 19 October, 1916, Foote finally parted ways from Vice-Admiral Nicholson. On the 25th, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Hope. He would remain there for almost a year until being temporarily placed in command of Laertes in August, 1917.[5]

Foote was appointed in command of the destroyer Oracle on 16 October, 1917.[6]